Age‐dependent baseline values of faecal cortisol metabolites in the American mink (Neovison vison) under semi‐natural housing conditions

The welfare of an animal is ensured if it is able to fully satisfy its essential species‐typical needs in all functional aspects of behaviour. In mink, stereotypies and apathy, internal and/or external injuries as well as increased susceptibility to disease have been known to occur as a result of chronic stress. The non‐invasive method of analysing faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) allows conclusions to be drawn about the stress level in the respective housing system. The objective of this study is to find out how the cortisol metabolites content in the faecal changes with increasing age of the mink under semi‐natural housing conditions. Thus, 40 American mink (Neovison vison) were housed in two outdoor enclosures imitating natural conditions. Throughout the entire study (13th to 32nd week of life), faecal samples were collected to measure cortisol metabolites. No differences in FCM concentrations between the two outdoor enclosures were found. In the young mink lower, less fluctuating FCM levels were found than in older animals. After the first faecal collection in the 13th/14th week of life, the level of metabolites decreased slightly (p = 0.032; 17th/18th week). From the 22nd/23rd week onwards until the 30th/31st week, shortly before the animals were pelted, continuously increasing concentrations were then measured. Increasing FCM levels with advancing age of the animals are probably attributable to the onset of sexual maturity and/or the respective season. This has to be taken into account in future studies using this method for assessing welfare and when comparing different mink housing systems.     

Mutations in the pericentrin (PCNT) gene cause primordial dwarfism

Fundamental processes influencing human growth can be revealed by studying extreme short stature. Using genetic linkage analysis, we find that biallelic loss-of-function mutations in the centrosomal pericentrin (PCNT) gene on chromosome 21q22.3 cause microcephalic osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (MOPD II) in 25 patients. Adults with this rare inherited condition have an average height of 100 centimeters and a brain size comparable to that of a 3-month-old baby, but are of near-normal intelligence. Absence of PCNT results in disorganized mitotic spindles and missegregation of chromosomes. Mutations in related genes are known to cause primary microcephaly (MCPH1, CDK5RAP2, ASPM, and CENPJ).     

Inhibited and uninhibited infants "grown up": adult amygdalar response to novelty

Infants with an inhibited temperament tend to develop into children who avoid people, objects, and situations that are novel or unfamiliar, whereas uninhibited children spontaneously approach novel persons, objects, and situations. Behavioral and physiological features of these two temperamental categories are moderately stable from infancy into early adolescence and have been hypothesized to be due, in part, to variation in amygdalar responses to novelty. We found that adults who had been categorized in the second year of life as inhibited, compared with those previously categorized as uninhibited, showed greater functional MRI signal response within the amygdala to novel versus familiar faces.     

Clinical and ultrasonographic findings, diagnosis and treatment of pyelonephritis in 17 cows

The goal of the present study was to describe the clinical, haematological and ultrasonographic findings and treatment of 17 cattle with pyelonephritis. Fifteen cattle had an abnormal general condition, which varied in severity; five animals had signs of colic. The urine was brownish-red in 11 animals and cloudy in 13. Clumps of purulent material were seen in the urine of nine animals and clots of blood in two. The specific gravity was lower than normal in 13 animals and ranged from 1.005 to 1.020. A urine test strip revealed protein in 16 animals, blood in 16 and leukocytes in 12. Bacteriological examination of urine yielded Corynebacterium renale in 11 animals, Arcanobacter pyogenes in two and Escherichia coli in one. Rectal examination revealed abnormalities of the urinary tract in 11 animals; there was dilatation of the left ureter and/or enlargement of the left kidney in eight cases, and dilatation of the right ureter and/or enlargement of the right kidney in three others. The most frequent abnormal haematological finding was an increase in the serum concentrations of total protein, fibrinogen, urea and creatinine, a decreased haematocrit and a positive glutaraldehyde test. In 13 animals, ultrasonography via the rectum and right flank using a 5.0MHz transducer revealed dilatation of the right or left ureter, cystic lesions in one or both kidneys and dilatation of the renal sinus. Eight animals were euthanased or slaughtered at the owners' request or because of a poor prognosis. Nine (53%) animals were successfully treated; five received antibiotics and four underwent unilateral nephrectomy and antibiotic therapy. The treated animals were clinically healthy when discharged from the clinic 10-21 days after admission. A follow-up via telephone 8-24 months later revealed that none had experienced complications and all were in full production. In cattle with severe unilateral pyelonephritis, unilateral nephrectomy is the treatment of choice.     

Combination of Trabectedin and Gemcitabine for Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcomas: Results of a Phase I Dose Escalating Trial of the German Interdisciplinary Sarcoma Group (GISG)

Background: Evaluation of the potential efficacy and safety of combination therapies for advanced soft tissue sarcomas (STS) has increased substantially after approval of trabectedin and pazopanib. Trabectedin’s introduction in Europe in 2007 depended mainly on its activity in so-called L-sarcomas (liposarcoma and leiomyosarcoma); combination of trabectedin with other chemotherapies used in STS seems of particular interest. Methods: We initiated within the German Interdisciplinary Sarcoma Group (GISG) a phase I dose escalating trial evaluating the combination of trabectedin and gemcitabine in patients with advanced and/or metastatic L-sarcomas (GISG-02; ClinicalTrials.gov {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT01426633","term_id":"NCT01426633"}}NCT01426633). Patients were treated with increasing doses of trabectedin and gemcitabine. The primary endpoint was to determine the maximum tolerated dose. Results: Five patients were included in the study. Two patients were treated on dose level 1 comprising trabectedin 0.9 mg/m² on day 1 and gemcitabine 700 mg/m² on days 1 + 8, every 3 weeks. Due to dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) in both patients (elevated transaminases and thrombocytopenia), an additional three patients were treated on dose level −1 with trabectedin 0.7 mg/m² plus gemcitabine 700 mg/m². Of these three patients, two demonstrated another DLT; therefore, the trial was stopped and none of the dose levels could be recommended for phase II testing. Conclusion: The GISG-02 phase I study was stopped with the conclusion that the combination of gemcitabine and trabectedin is generally not recommended for the treatment of patients with advanced and/or metastatic leiomyosarcoma or liposarcoma. Also, this phase I study strongly supports the necessity for careful evaluation of combination therapies.     

Auswirkungen des Agroforestry-Anbausystems auf den Mineralstickstoffgehalt und das Matrixpotential in einer Parabraunerde sowie das Wachstum von Acer Pseudoplatanus

Effects of the agroforestry land use system on mineral nitrogen content and water potential in a Haplic Luvisol and on growth of Acer pseudoplatanus Results from three years are presented for an agroforestry system with Acer pseudoplatanus without (bare soil, treated with herbicides) and with undercropping, which was either Lolium perenne or Trifolium repens. The soil, a Haplic Luvisol derived from loess, had been intensively cultivated by agricultural crops before. Without undercropping leaching of nitrate was observed especially in the first, but also in the following years of the experimental period. This is due to the low and late N-demand of trees. Remaining contents of mineral nitrogen in the soil were sufficient for an optimal tree growth. With Lolium perenne as undercrop the mineral nitrogen content in the soil decreased in 0–60 cm depth as a result of N-uptake already in the first year. Leaching was observed from 60–90 cm depth. In the following years mineral nitrogen contents of the soil remained low, and were not sufficient for an optimal tree growth. Tree growth was further affected because of competition for water between gras and trees. With Trifolium repens mineral nitrogen in the soil was much higher than the demand for trees and undercrop due to symbiontic N-fixation by clover with subsequent mineralization. Although low water potentials were recorded similar to gras, competition for water did not diminish tree growth. Hence, optimal tree growth is guaranteed, but leaching of nitrate cannot be avoided. For all treatments leaching of N occured also in early spring. Up to now, there was no difference of tree growth between bare soil and Trifolium repens as undercrop, tree growth was much affected by Lolium perenne as undercrop.     

Insecticidal properties of some allethrin isomers used in coil formulations against mosquitoes

Previous studies have been made on the relative efficacy of the eight possible stereoisomers of allethrolonyl chrysanthemate. Some of these compounds and their mixtures have been classified according to their knockdown activity against Aedes aegypti. Two techniques were used, the contact method recommended by WHO and the method described by Katsuda and Ogami to study the effect on mosquitoes of the smoke from burning coils. Results show that on Aedes aegypti, the relative knockdown activity of the various stereoisomers of allethrin was about the same with both methods. The d trans chrysanthemate of d allethrolone (S-Bioallethrin) was the most effective.     

Macrobenthic biodiversity and oxygen uptake in estuarine systems: the example of the Seine estuary

Purpose

Bioturbation is a major process influencing the functioning of benthic ecosystems. Although controlled experiments with species in monoculture or in artificial combinations have increased the knowledge about the role of biological diversity on geochemical processes, specific interactions have been neglected, making the extrapolation of experimental results to natural systems difficult. In this context, the main objective of this study was to measure the effects of a whole natural macrobenthic community on benthic oxygen uptake.

Materials and methods

The relationships between macrofauna and oxygen uptakes were investigated in the estuarine system of the Seine, France, during the winter and fall according to the variability of river discharge. Four undisturbed sediment cores with associated macrofauna and overlying water were sampled at nine subtidal stations in order to perform whole core incubations and measure total oxygen uptake (TOU). Moreover, values of diffusive oxygen uptake (DOU) were obtained using microelectrode profiling and fauna-mediated oxygen uptake (FOU) was calculated as the difference between TOU and DOU. FOUs were thus linked to macrofaunal parameters; both traditional (species richness, abundance and biomass) and functional (trophic guilds and bioturbation modes).

Results and discussion

The average FOU (±SD) ranged from 170?±?36 to 1,324?±?701???mol?m^?2?h^?1, and values represented 33 to 89?% of TOU. Each of the traditional macrofauna parameters had a significant and positive correlation with FOU. In addition, abundance, biomass and species number of some functional groups (e.g. suspension feeders and biodiffusors) were also correlated to FOU, supporting the diversity?Cstability hypothesis of McArthur (Ecology 36:533?C536, 1955). Nevertheless, the relationship between FOU and other functional groups such as conveyors illustrated the idiosyncratic nature of this hypothesis, underlining the difficulty of clearly identifying the role of a macrofaunal community on oxygen exchanges at the sediment?Cwater interface.

Conclusions

Our results confirm the importance of functional biodiversity on mineralization processes as well as the need to take into account the whole community. They also suggest that future studies should focus on the functional consequences of species loss and the potential resilience of the communities as a way to maintain ecosystem processes.     

Systematic review of comparative studies examining alternatives to the harmful use of animals in biomedical education

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the published literature for controlled studies comparing learning outcomes of traditional methods that require the terminal use of animals (eg, dissection, live-animal surgery, and live-animal laboratory demonstrations) with outcomes obtained with alternative teaching methods. DESIGN: Systematic review. STUDY POPULATION: Controlled studies published between 1996 and 2004. PROCEDURES: PubMed was searched with the following keywords, used alone and in combination: educational alternatives, nonlethal teaching methods, veterinary alternatives, medical education, and nonterminal animal use. Cited references of retrieved reports were reviewed to identify additional reports. Reports were selected for review only if a comparison group was included. RESULTS: 17 studies that were randomized controlled trials or nonrandomized trials that included a comparison group were identified. Five involved veterinary students, 3 involved medical students, 6 involved university undergraduate students, and 3 involved high school biology students. Sample size ranged from 14 to 283 students. Eleven studies appeared to be randomized, parallel-group trials, 4 involved comparative groups to which participants were not randomly assigned or for which the randomization process was not clear, 1 was a 2-period crossover study, and 1 involved a retrospective review of grades. In all 17 studies reviewed, results associated with the alternative method of instruction were not significantly different from or superior to results associated with the conventional method. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although the number of controlled studies identified was small, the results seem to support more widespread adoption of alternative teaching methods in biomedical education.